A HISTORY making day at HMAS Albatross with the Royal Australian Navy commissioning its first Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) Squadron.
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The new squadron will be known as 822X - it is also the first time the RAN has used such numbers for a squadron and also the first time the suffice X, recognising the experimental and developmental nature of the squadron, has been used.
Chief of Navy Vice Admiral Michael Noonan was special guest at the ceremony - it was also his first commissioning ceremony as head of the navy.
The commissioning marks the formal transition from the RAN’s UAS unit which was formed in 2012, to a squadron.
822X Squadron currently operates two types of unmanned aircraft systems - the ScanEagle that looks like a fixed winged aircraft and the Schiebel S-100 Camcopters which resembles a helicopter.
Commanding Officer of new 822X Squadron, Commander Mick Rainey was presented with the commissioning orders by Commander Australian Fleet, Rear Admiral Jonathan Mead.
Another special guest at the ceremony was Gwyneth Hall, who was 822X Squadron commissioning sponsor. Ms Hall is the daughter of the late Lieutenant Commander Henry “Nobby” Hall MBE OAM, who spent 43 years in the navy.
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Vice Admiral Noonan said the use of unmanned aircraft systems within the RAN was nothing new.
“We have used unmanned target towing aircraft such as the Kalkara and Jindivik since the 1950s,” he said.
“As the navies of the world explore the use maritime tactical UAS from ships in support of maritime operations our innovation and technological development demands an increase in use of this technology
“This technology will contribute directly to the current and future security and prosperity of our country
“It is the experimental and developmental nature of 822X Squadron operations that will provide these complementary unmanned systems.
“This will develop our operational knowledge and expertise to develop orders and procedures of safe UAS operations and assist UAS capability options that support integrated warfare and outcomes for our future fleet.
“I look forward to following the progress of 822X Squadron flights and operations as we achieve more firsts as we head towards initial operational capability.”
822X Squadron’s motto will appropriately be “See the Enemy” and that’s exactly what the squadron does.
Commander Rainey said it was a “great day for the Fleet Air Arm and navy”.
“The purpose of the unmanned aircraft system is to extend the eyes and ears of the ships at sea,” he said.
“These aircraft can stay on task for long periods of time and provides persistent intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance.
“They are small air frames with large endurance which enables us to extend the eyes and ears of the ship for many miles beyond what you see without the system.
“The beauty of these types of aircraft is they don’t require a large amount of real estate to take off or recover - they have to be able to launched and recovered off the back of ships.
“They can stay in the air longer than manned aircraft - the fixed winged aircraft can stay airborne for as long as 12 hours on just three litres of fuel.
“That ability provides the ship’s commanders with good intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance information, allowing them to make correct tactical decisions at the time.
“But the aircraft can also be used for a raft of different maritime activities across the full scope of maritime activities.”
In keeping with tradition, Commander Rainey cut the commissioning cake as CO with the youngest member of the squadron, Seaman Luke Williams, joined by Vice Admiral Noonan and Ms Hall.
The Chief of Navy then made a special presentation to one of the members of the new 822X Squadron, Petty Officer Peter O’Sullivan who was recently award a Navy Safety Award.